Microplastics – A Growing Menace
Microplastics, which are very small plastic particles, come from the degradation of plastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles often found in bottled water and various food items. They may have a huge impact on our gut health as well and our brain. As per a 2023 study published in the Nutrients journal, microplastics can stay in the body for several days if you don’t pass stool. This increases the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction and inflammation in our body.
Types of microplastics
Microplastics can be categorised into 2 main types -
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that are less than 5 millimeters in diameter and can be very harmful to the environment and even animal health.
Reducing exposure to microplastics
According to Manisha Bhagat, Senior Nutritionist and Health Coach, “Microplastics are contaminating our food chain through water, seafood, food packaging and soil. These tiny plastics can cause inflammation, disrupt the immune system, and interfere with hormones, potentially leading to various health issues.” To reduce exposure, she mentions that we should use glass or stainless steel containers, choose products with minimal packaging, filter water to remove microplastics and eat a balanced diet to minimise exposure from a single source.
She goes on to prescribe that, “Support plastic free initiatives while the health effects of microplastics are still being studied. It is essential to take proactive steps to minimise exposure.” She signs off by saying that microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, and sea salt - various seafood, including oysters, mussels, and fish. Food packaging, especially fatty or salty foods as well. By taking certain measures, she is confident that we can reduce our exposure to microplastics and promote a healthier environment.
Effects of microplastics on our body
Dr. Arun B Shah M.D, D.M, Director of Neurosciences, SIR H N Reliance Foundation Hospital says that, “The central nervous system in humans is highly susceptible to environmental pollutants, especially during embryonic development. Exposure to micro- and nanoplastics can induce oxidative stress, which may cause cellular damage and increase vulnerability to neuronal disorders. Due to their size, MNPs can cause stronger neurotoxicity than MPs.” He goes on to say that plastic pollution has become a global environmental problem to tackle. The production and sales of plastics have grown exponentially.
Dr. Shah explains that, “The widespread distribution and presence of microplastics in various environmental niches (air, water, or land) make humans vulnerable to exposure through multiple routes.” He describes that how plastic materials are broken down through oxidation, hydrolytic degradation, photo degradation, mechanical degradation and biodegradation, producing various forms and sizes of debris, leading to the term “micro plastic” (MPS) and, more recently: plastic nanoparticles (≤100 nm) (MNPS).
Relation between the food chain and microplastics
Dr. Shah also states that although numerous animal and cell culture studies indicated the adverse biological effects of MNPs on human health, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Furthermore, whether long-term exposure to MNPs is associated with disease susceptibility needs to be investigated. “Further observational studies are necessary to investigate the potential adverse health consequences of MNPs in humans and the related mechanisms. These particles are pervasive in the environment, contaminating water, air and soil, and consequently entering the food chain,” he adds.
He goes on to mention that, experimental studies in animals suggests the accumulation of these MPS in brain and neurons could be missing link in the environmental factors in pathogenesis of degenerative diseases of the brain such as degenerative Dementias and Parkinson’s disease.
Summing up
From bottled water to tea bags, microplastics are spreading and finding their way into human bodies. Over the past decade, the medical fraternity has become alarmed by the presence of micro and nanoplastics - tiny plastic particles which have been found in their thousands in food, bottled water, and rapidly growing in our own bodies. Hence, we must take precautions to try and consume the least amount of microplastics.
